2015 CVNE "Imperial" Reserva Rioja (1.5L)

SKU #1544925 95 points James Suckling

A tight and linear red now with very long and direct palate that is driven and intense. Medium to full body, bright blackberry and mineral character. Just a baby now. Give it three to four years to soften. A beauty. (1/2019)

94 points Jeb Dunnuck

Based on 85% Tempranillo, with the balance Graciano, Mazuelo and Garnacha, the 2015 Imperial Reserva was fermented in larger French oak vats and aged in a combination of French and American oak. Dense purple-hued, with a killer nose of smoked blackcurrants, vanilla, violets, orange blossom, and cedar, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, building yet ripe, polished tannins, and a great, great finish. This beauty is drinking well today yet has the acidity, concentration, and tannins to evolve for another 10-15 years. (12/2020)

94 points Vinous

Saturated, brilliant ruby. Explosive, seductively perfumed aromas of dark berry preserves, cherry-cola, incense, floral oils and vanilla, along with suggestions of mocha, licorice and woodsmoke. Sweet and seamless in the mouth, offering intense blackberry, cherry preserve and violet pastille flavors and allspice, coconut and star anise flourishes. Distinctly rich yet energetic as well, finishing with resonating floral and spice character, well-integrated tannins and superb mineral-driven persistence. (JR) (2/2019)

93 points John Gilman

The bouquet offers up a deep and complex constellation of black cherries, cassis, cigar smoke, a complex base of soil tones, a touch of clove, a touch of spiced meats and a sound foundation of cedary oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and complex, with the first vestiges of velvetiness on the attack, a lovely core and soil signature, ripe, buried tannins and a long, classy and tangy finish. This is approachable at six years of age, but is still a young wine and will be an even better drink five to ten years down the road. (1/2021)

93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The analysis of the 2015 Imperial Reserva is almost identical to those of the Viña Real Reserva from the same vintage, but the profile is quite different. This is the more serious Haro-style red, and it has slightly darker fruit and a medium to full-bodied palate with very good grip, powerful but with great balance. The blend is also similar—85% Tempranillo and the rest split between Graciano, Mazuelo and Garnacha—but these are grapes from Rioja Alta fermented with yeasts selected from their own vineyards. The wine matured in French and American oak barrels for two years. The wines are different, but the quality level is similar. 150,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2018. (LG) (6/2019)

93 points Wine Spectator

This balanced red shows muscle without losing grace. Black cherry, leafy, forest floor and toasty notes mingle over well-integrated tannins in a silky texture, with fresh acidity giving way to a floral, minerally finish. Not showy, but harmonious. (TM) (9/2019)